| (19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 0 448 292 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
|
08.01.1992 Bulletin 1992/02 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
|
25.09.1991 Bulletin 1991/39 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 14.03.1991 |
|
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
DE FR GB IT NL |
| (30) |
Priority: |
19.03.1990 US 495765
|
| (71) |
Applicant: INSTACOOL INC. OF NORTH AMERICA |
|
Rancho Cordova,
California 95742 (US) |
|
| (72) |
Inventors: |
|
- Coelho, Philip Henry
Folsom, CA. 95630 (US)
- Wolf, Terry
Placerville, CA. 95667 (US)
|
| (74) |
Representative: Denmark, James |
|
Bailey, Walsh & Co.
5 York Place
Leeds LS1 2SD
Yorkshire
Leeds LS1 2SD
Yorkshire (GB) |
|
| |
|
| (54) |
Rapid cooling through a thin flexible membrane |
(57) Rapid cooling or freezing of foodstuffs, perishables or blood products is accomplished
by using a thin film membrane to totally envelope the foodstuffs or blood product
only, during the heat extraction period. This thin film encapsulation system closes around
the item and is held tightly to the item by atmospheric and/or hydrostatic pressure.
Once the item is encapsulated, low temperature heat transfer fluids are then circulated
on the exterior surface of the membrane, thus extracting the heat within the item
through the thickness of the membrane. Upon completion of the necessary chilling or
freezing, the atmospheric and/or hydrostatic pressure is withdrawn and the chilled
or frozen item is extracted.